An atom is to an element as a single unit is to a pure substance. An atom is to a molecule as a single unit is to multiple units bound together. An atom is to a compound molecule as a single unit is to multiple different units bound together. Elements are pure substances made of single types of atoms. Molecules are multiple atoms of one or more elements bound together, such as in compounds. Compounds are made of two or more different elements chemically bonded together at the molecular level. Atoms are the fundamental unit that make up elements, and atoms can bond together to form molecules, such as in compounds.